High School Football National Championship


The High School Football National Championship is a national championship honor awarded to the best high school football team in the United States of America based on rankings from USA Today and the National Prep Poll. There have been some efforts over the years at organizing a single-game playoff for the national championship. Sometimes a dominant team in one state would defeat a dominant team in a neighboring state after the regular season and then would self-claim the national championship. However, sometimes such a game could not be scheduled, like in 1936 after Washington High School of Massillon, Ohio, refused to withhold its black players in a proposed game with segregated Central High School of Knoxville, Tennessee. Central High subsequently proclaimed itself national champion that year. On December 31, 1938, duPont Manual of Louisville, Kentucky, and New Britain of Connecticut played in an actual national championship game in Baton Rouge with the Louisiana Sports Association as the formal sponsor – and, by extension, the Sugar Bowl Committee, which held a series of sporting events leading up to the Sugar Bowl game itself. Manual won, 28–20. The following year, on December 30, the game featured Pine Bluff, Arkansas, which defeated Baton Rouge High School by a score of 26–0. This series of games proved difficult to organize, due to some states' prohibition of postseason play. Pine Bluff, for example, had to receive a special waiver from its state to participate in the game. In 1939, the National Sports Council, chaired by columnist Grantland Rice, staged a national championship game Christmas Night in the Orange Bowl, won by Garfield High School, Garfield, New Jersey, 16-13, over Miami High School, Miami, Florida. Unlike the LSA Game, it featured two undefeated and untied teams from different sections of the country. In 1962, Florida state champion Miami Senior High beat Baltimore Polytechnic in the Orange Bowl and was recognized by Imperial Sports Syndicate of California as a national champion.

Selectors

SelectorYears
National Sports News Service 1910–1916, 1918–1943, 1946–1999
Louisiana Sports Association 1938–39
USA Today 1982–present
National Prep Poll 1987–present
MaxPreps Freeman Computer Rankings 2004–present
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Rankings 2008–present
High School Football America Top 25 2012–present

National Champions by year

YearChampionRecordCoachSelector
1910Oak Park, IL10–2Robert ZuppkeNSNS
1911Oak Park, IL10–0Robert ZuppkeNSNS
1912Oak Park, IL10–0Robert ZuppkeNSNS
1913Oak Park, IL10–1Glenn ThistlewaiteNSNS
1914Everett, MA13–0Cleo O'DonnellNSNS
1915Detroit, MI, Central11–0–1Edbert C. BussNSNS
1915Everett, MA11–0–1Cleo O'DonnellNSNS
1916San Diego High School San Diego, CA
Scott, Toledo, Ohio		12–0–0
10–0–0		Nibs Price
Tom Merrell		NSNS
NSNS
1917No Known Champion
1918Harrisburg, PA, Tech9–0Paul SmithNSNS
1919Harrisburg, PA, Tech12–0Paul SmithNSNS
1920Everett, WA9–0–1Enoch BagshawNSNS
1920Oak Park, IL9–0–1Glenn ThistlewaiteNSNS
1921Jacksonville, FL, Duval8–0UnknownNSNS
1922Toledo, OH, Scott9–0Dr. William A. NeillNSNS
1923East Cleveland, OH, Shaw9–1John SnavelyNSNS
1923Toledo, OH, Scott10–0Dr. William A. NeillNSNS
1924Toledo, OH, Waite10–0Joe C. CollinsNSNS
1925Pine Bluff, AR16–0Foy HammonsNSNS
1926Tuscaloosa, AL9–0Paul BurnumNSNS
1927Waco, TX14–0Paul TysonNSNS
1928Medford, OR9–0Prink CallisonNSNS
1929Tuscaloosa, AL9–0Paul BurnumNSNS
1930Phoenix, AZ, Union13–0R.R. RobinsonNSNS
1931Ashland, KY10–0Paul JenkinsNSNS
1932Toledo, OH, Waite12–0Donald McCallisterNSNS
1933Oklahoma City, OK, Capitol Hill12–0Jim LookabaughNSNS
1934Canton, OH, McKinley11–0Jimmy AikenNSNS
1935Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Paul BrownNSNS
1936Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Paul BrownNSNS
1937Chicago, IL, Austin10–0William HeilandNSNS
1938Louisville, KY, Manual10–0Ray BaerLSA, NSNS
1939Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Paul BrownNSNS
1939Pine Bluff, AR11–0–1Allen DunawayLSA
1939Garfield, NJ10–0Art ArgauerNSC
1940Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Paul BrownNSNS
1941Chicago, IL, Leo11–0Whitey CroninNSNS
1942Miami, FL9–0Lyles AlleyNSNS
1943Miami, FL9–0Tom MooreNSNS
1944No Award Made
1945No Award Made
1946Little Rock, AR, Senior14–0Raymond BurnettNSNS
1947East Chicago, IN, Roosevelt9–0Pete Rucinski NSNS
1947Lynn, MA, Classical11–1Bill Joyce NSNS
1948Waco, TX14–0Carl PriceNSNS
1949Wichita Falls, TX14–0Joe GoldingNSNS
1950Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Chuck MatherNSNS
1951Weymouth, MA9–0Harry Arlanson NSNS
1952Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Chuck MatherNSNS
1953Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Chuck MatherNSNS
1954Vallejo, CA9–0Bob PattersonNSNS
1955San Diego, CA12–0Duane MaleyNSNS
1956Abilene, TX14–0Charles MoserNSNS
1957Little Rock, AR, Central12–0Wilson MatthewsNSNS
1957Downey HS, Downey, California11–0NSNS
1958Oak Ridge, TN, Oak Ridge10–0Jack ArmstrongNSNS
1959Massillon, OH, Washington10–0Leo StrangNSNS
1960Miami, Fla.8–0–2Ottis MooneyNSNS
1961Massillon, OH, Washington11–0Leo StrangNSNS
1962Valdosta, GA12–0Wright BazemoreNSNS
1963Chicago, IL, St. Rita9–0Edward BuckleyNSNS
1964Coral Gables, FL12–0Nick KotysNSNS
1965Miami, FL12–0Robert CarltonNSNS
1966Pico Rivera, CA, El Rancho13–0Ernest JohnsonNSNS
1967Austin, TX, Reagan14–0Travis RavenNSNS
1967Coral Gables, FL13–0Nick KotysNSNS
1968Austin, TX, Reagan15–0Travis RavenNSNS
1968Coral Gables, FL12–1Nick KotysNSNS
1969Coral Gables, FL11–0Nick KotysNSNS
1969Valdosta, GA12–0–1Wright BazemoreNSNS
1970Reagan, Austin, Texas14–1Travis RavenNSNS
1971Valdosta, GA13–0Wright BazemoreNSNS
1972Bristol, TN13–0John CroppNSNS
1973Chattanooga, TN, Baylor13–0E. B. "Red" EtterNSNS
1974Thomasville, GA12–1Jim HughesNSNS
1975Los Angeles, CA, Loyola13–0Marty ShaughnessyNSNS
1976Cincinnati, OH, Moeller12–0Gerry FaustNSNS
1976Warner Robins, Warner Robins, Ga.13–0Robert DavisNSNS
1977Cincinnati, OH, Moeller12–0Gerry FaustNSNS
1978Annandale, VA14–0Bob HardageNSNS
1979Cincinnati, OH, Moeller12–0Gerry FaustNSNS
1980Cincinnati, OH, Moeller13–0Gerry FaustNSNS
1981Warner Robins, GA15–0Robert DavisNSNS
1982Cincinnati, OH, Moeller13–0Steve KlonneNSNS, USA
1983Berwick Area, PA13–0George CurryNSNS, USA
1984Valdosta, GA15–0Nick HyderNSNS, USA
1985East St. Louis Flyers14–0Bob ShannonNSNS, USA
1986Valdosta, GA15–0Nick HyderNSNS, USA
1987Fontana, CA14–0Dick BruichNPP
1987Pittsburgh, PA, North Hills13–0Jack McCurryUSA
1987Plano, TX16–0Gerald BrenceNSNS
1988Pensacola, FL, Pine Forest14–0Carl MadisonNSNS, USA
1988Prichard, AL, Vigor13–0Harold ClarkNPP
1989Cleveland, OH, St. Ignatius13–0Chuck KyleUSA
1989Odessa, TX, Permian16–0Gary GainesNPP, NSNS
1990Houston, Texas Aldine High School15–0Bill SmithNPP
1990Lawton, OK, Eisenhower14–0Tim ReynoldsUSA
1990Ruston, LA14–0Jimmy "Chick" ChildressNSNS
1991Indianapolis, IN, Ben Davis14–0Dick DullaghanNPP, NSNS
1991LaGrange, GA15–0Gary GuthrieUSA
1992Berwick Area, PA15–0George CurryUSA
1992Valdosta, GA14–0Nick HyderNPP, NSNS
1993Cleveland, OH, St. Ignatius14–0Chuck KyleNPP, NSNS, USA
1994Concord, CA, De La Salle13–0Bob LadouceurNPP, NSNS
1994Santa Ana, CA, Mater Dei14–0Bruce RollinsonUSA
1995Berwick Area, PA15–0George CurryUSA
1995Cleveland, OH, St. Ignatius14–0Chuck KyleNPP, NSNS
1996Hampton, VA14–0Mike SmithNPP, NSNS
1996Santa Ana, CA, Mater Dei14–0Bruce RollinsonUSA
1997Canton, OH, McKinley14–0Thom McDanielsUSA
1997Hampton, VA13–0Mike SmithNPP, NSNS
1998Concord, CA, De La Salle12–0Bob LadouceurNPP, NSNS, USA
1999Concord, CA, De La Salle12–0Bob LadouceurNSNS
1999Midland, TX, Lee15–0John ParchmanUSA
1999Shreveport, LA, Evangel Christian15–0Dennis DunnNPP
2000Concord, CA, De La Salle13–0Bob LadouceurNPP, USA
2001Concord, CA, De La Salle12–0Bob LadouceurNPP, USA
2002Concord, CA, De La Salle13–0Bob LadouceurNPP, USA
2003Concord, CA, De La Salle13–0Bob LadouceurNPP, USA
2004Southlake, TX, Carroll16–0Todd DodgeNPP, USA
2005Lakeland, FL15–0Bill CastleUSA
2005Southlake, TX, Carroll16–0Todd DodgeNPP, Freeman
2006Lakeland, FL15–0Bill CastleNPP
2006Southlake, TX, Carroll16–0Todd DodgeUSA, Freeman
2007Cincinnati, OH, St. Xavier15–0Steve SpechtNPP, Freeman
2007Miami, FL, Northwestern15–0Billy RolleUSA
2008Fort Lauderdale, FL, St. Thomas Aquinas15–0George SmithNPP, USA, Freeman, Xcellent 25
2009Ramsey, NJ, Don Bosco Prep12–0Greg ToalNPP, USA, Freeman, Xcellent 25
2010Fort Lauderdale, FL, St. Thomas Aquinas15–0George SmithNPP
2010South Panola, MS15–0Lance PogueUSA, Freeman
2011Ramsey, NJ, Don Bosco Prep11–0Greg ToalNPP, USA, Freeman, Xcellent 25
2012River Ridge, LA, John Curtis Christian14–0J.T. CurtisNPP, USA, Xcellent 25
2013St. John Bosco High School15–0Jason NegroNPP
2013Booker T. Washington High School14–0Tim "Ice" HarrisUSA Today, MaxPreps
2014Las Vegas, NV, Bishop Gorman15–0Tony SanchezNPP, USA
2015Katy, TX16–0Gary JosephNPP, Xcellent 25
2015Moultrie, GA, Colquitt County15–0Rush PropstHigh School Football America, Prep Force
2015Las Vegas, NV, Bishop Gorman15–0Kenny SanchezUSA
2016Las Vegas, NV, Bishop Gorman15–0Kenny SanchezNPP, USA, Freeman, High School Football America, Xcellent 25
2017Santa Ana, CA, Mater Dei15–0Bruce RollinsonNPP, USA, High School Football America, Freeman, Xcellent 25
2018Santa Ana, CA, Mater Dei13–2Bruce RollinsonUSA, High School Football America, Freeman
2018Houston, TX, North Shore16–0Jon KayXcellent 25, NPP
2019Bellflower, CA, St. John Bosco13–1Jason NegroNPP, USA, High School Football America, Freeman, Xcellent 25

National Championships by school (multiple winners only)

SchoolChampionshipsYears
Massillon, OH, Washington91935, 1936, 1939, 1940, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1959, 1961
Concord, CA, De La Salle71994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Valdosta, GA61962, 1969, 1971, 1984, 1986, 1992
Miami, FL51942, 1943, 1960, 1962, 1965
Cincinnati, OH, Moeller51976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982
Oak Park, IL51910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1920
Coral Gables, FL41964, 1967, 1968, 1969
Santa Ana, CA, Mater Dei41994, 1996, 2017, 2018
Austin, TX, Reagan31967, 1968, 1970
Berwick, PA31983, 1992, 1995
Cleveland, OH, St. Ignatius31989, 1993, 1995
Southlake, TX, Carroll32004, 2005, 2006
Las Vegas, NV, Bishop Gorman32014, 2015, 2016
Canton, OH, McKinley21934, 1997
Everett, MA21914, 1915
Fort Lauderdale, FL, St. Thomas Aquinas22008, 2010
Harrisburg, PA, Tech21918, 1919
Lakeland, FL22005, 2006
Little Rock, AR, Central21946, 1957
Odessa, TX, Permian21972, 1989
Pine Bluff, AR21925, 1939
Ramsey, NJ, Don Bosco Prep22009, 2011
San Diego High School, San Diego, CA21916, 1955
Toledo, OH, Scott21922, 1923
Toledo, OH, Waite21924, 1932
Tuscaloosa, AL21926, 1929
Waco, TX,21927, 1948
Warner Robins, GA21976, 1981
Bellflower, CA, St. John Bosco22013, 2019